Editorial - Brunswick County marina cooperative is an idea whose time has come

Saturday

Jan 30, 2010 at 12:01 AM

Rather than fret passively about the decline of the regional fishing industry and commercial dock space, a group of Brunswick County fishermen is trying to do something about it. May they succeed.The idea of a commercial marina cooperative is not without obstacles, but local officials should support the concept and offer as much assistance as possible.Shrimper Bill Hickman, who heads up the fisheries advisory committee working on a plan, summed up the situation nicely: “If we don’t acquire someplace for commercial fishermen, commercial fishing is going to be a thing of the past.”That would be tragic.Anyone whose mouth waters at the prospect of dining on locally caught seafood knows that waters in and around the Cape Fear region are rich in succulent oysters, clams, shrimp and fabulous fish of many varieties. The fishing industry was once the backbone of southern Brunswick County, especially the area around Varnamtown.But as wealthy retirees have discovered the Brunswick County coastline, fishermen have been pushed out to make room for residential waterfront development. Overfishing, pollution, the widespread availability of cheap imported seafood and a few lean seasons have made it more difficult for people whose income depends on a hearty catch.Folks who spend their working days – and nights – trawling in the waters off our coast have been watching their way of life disappear. Oystermen and women find fewer and fewer open beds as stormwater runoff carries contaminants into once-pristine waters.The Brunswick fishermen are looking at a site near the new Oak Island bridge and hope to have counterparts throughout the region come aboard. They will seek some state and federal money to help build it, and they’re hoping the county commissioners and the community will support them.A meeting in March should help determine the level of interest in such an endeavor.The committee has done some of its homework, which is a promising sign. Brunswick County Commissioner Scott Phillips has been a part of the conversation and is apparently on board as long as the marina doesn’t need a shot of taxpayer money to help it succeed.Yet counties in North Carolina have willingly offered generous tax incentives to lure new businesses and the jobs they promise, but which don’t always materialize – or stay. Here is an industry that was born here and will remain here, unless it is allowed to die. If jobs go away, it will be because its local community did not support it.No, the coop shouldn’t be a ward of the government, but a little help in the form of tax relief and even a little up-front assistance is not out of the question. Given that these are tight times for county governments, some of that early help might be in the form of planning assistance or other in-kind services to help get a marina up and running.Fishing is one of the industries that made this region what it is. To let it fade away without a fight would be a disgrace.

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